19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration

Teachers were awarded Golden Apples during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts on May 5, 2009.

Third graders of Calusa Park Elementary School teacher Sheila Buckner, including Mariah Olcheski, 9, center, cheer for their teacher during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Golden Apple recipient Anna Ruth Crouse of Poinciana Elementary School, center, hugs her presenter and student Jett Ty Su, right, as she accepted her award during during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Linda Lepore, right, quiets the teachers backstage before they are presented during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Pinecrest Elementary School teacher Mia German wipes tears from her eyes as she watches her students say what a great teacher she is during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Members of the Palmetto Ridge High School JROTC Color Guard hang out backstage before the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Golden Apple recipient Anna Ruth Crouse of Poinciana Elementary School, right, shares a laugh with her escort Ann Rowe, member of the board of the Education Foundation, as they watch a video of Crouse teaching during during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Golden Apple recipient Stephanie Jonas, center, of Veterans Memorial Elementary School smiles before she is presented during the19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Pinecrest Elementary School teacher Mia German blows a kiss to thank her students for being an inspiration during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Pinecrest Elementary School kindergartner Takerra James watches a video about her teacher Mia German while a stool is placed at the podium for her during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Scenes from the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Golden Apple recipient Teri Maroon, center, receives last minute instructions before taking the stage during the 2009 Golden Apple Awards banquet on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Members of the Philharmonic Center Youth Chorale perform during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Presenters mill about backstage during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff

Golden Apple recipient Brent Brickzin of Palmetto Ridge High School hugs his son Blake, 11, after his acceptance speech during the 19th Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples, Fla. Greg Kahn/Staff